The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore says it will
monitor Japanese produce as a precautionary measure against
potential contamination.
The news of an explosion and possible radiation escaping from
one of Japan's nuclear power plants after a massive earthquake and
tsunami on Friday has sparked concerns in Singapore of food
safety.
Those in the industry are concerned whether seafood and fresh
produce from Japan is safe for consumption.
Roy Chee, who is the executive chef at the Standing Sushi Bar, said
there was concern that the quality of water- should there have been
radioactive leaks- would affect the quality of seafood and other
produce.
Mr Chee, who also runs a Japanese seafood import company, said he
also expects the prices of seafood and produce from Japan to
increase by about 30 per cent.
He said this would affect his business, because scallops, tako, and
other fresh fish make up 40 per cent of the ingredients used in his
sushi bar.
They are all imported from Japan.
Mr Chee also said he expects supply of Japanese rice wine or sake
to drop, as many padi fields in Japan's farming areas were
completely destroyed by the tsunami.
He said the drop in rice supply would mean an increase in the price
of sake.
-- 938Live